EP1170832A2 - Connector - Google Patents
Connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1170832A2 EP1170832A2 EP01305031A EP01305031A EP1170832A2 EP 1170832 A2 EP1170832 A2 EP 1170832A2 EP 01305031 A EP01305031 A EP 01305031A EP 01305031 A EP01305031 A EP 01305031A EP 1170832 A2 EP1170832 A2 EP 1170832A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal fitting
- cut
- connector according
- away portion
- cavity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
- H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
- H01R13/422—Securing in resilient one-piece base or case, e.g. by friction; One-piece base or case formed with resilient locking means
- H01R13/4223—Securing in resilient one-piece base or case, e.g. by friction; One-piece base or case formed with resilient locking means comprising integral flexible contact retaining fingers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/5205—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet
- H01R13/5208—Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet having at least two cable receiving openings
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
- H01R13/642—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by position or shape of contact members
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a connector provided with means for preventing terminal fittings from being inserted in an inverted manner.
- One conventional means for ensuring that terminal fittings are inserted correctly into cavities formed in a connector housing comprises stabilizers protruding from specified locations of outer faces of the terminal fittings, and guiding grooves formed in corresponding wall faces of the cavities, the stabilizers being capable of sliding within these guiding grooves.
- the stabilizers slide within the guiding grooves as insertion progresses.
- the stabilizers strike against hole edges of openings of the cavities, thereby preventing insertion from continuing.
- JP-8-45591 An example of this type of terminal fitting provided with stabilizers is described in JP-8-45591.
- the guiding grooves are cut away in the walls separating the cavities. Consequently, these walls must be thicker, i.e., the pitch of the cavities must be increased. As a result, the connector must be made larger in size.
- a rubber stopper comprising a single sheet having a plurality of through holes therein. This sheet covers posterior faces of all the cavities, thereby waterproofing all the cavities in a collective manner.
- the terminal fittings may damage inner circumference faces of the through holes of the collective rubber stopper into which they have been inserted, thereby decreasing the waterproofing reliability of the rubber stopper.
- the present invention has taken the above problems into consideration, and aims to present a connector having a means for preventing terminal fittings from being inserted in an inverted manner, and in which nothing protrudes from outer faces of these terminal fittings.
- an electrical connector comprising a housing, a cavity within said housing, and a terminal fitting insertable in said cavity, said terminal fitting being engageable by retention means at a predetermined insertion depth characterized in that the insertion end of said terminal fitting has a cut-away portion at one side, and said housing include a protrusion extending into said cavity at a corresponding side and for fitting within said cut-away portion at said predetermined insertion depth, whereby a predetermined orientation of said terminal fitting is assured.
- the terminal fitting is tubular, and the cut-away portion comprises part of the tubular wall.
- the terminal fitting is rectangular in cross-section at the insertion end.
- An engagement member of the retention means may be constituted by an aperture or step in the tubular wall, and this engagement member is preferably provided on the same side of the terminal fitting as the cut-away portion.
- cut-away portions are provided on either side of a resilient tongue of a female terminal fitting, the tongue comprising a contact member of the female fitting for engagement with a corresponding male terminal fitting.
- a first embodiment of the present invention which is suitable for a female waterproof connector, is described below with the aid of Figures 1 to 8.
- this connector is provided with a female connector housing 20 (hereafter referred to as female housing), female terminal fittings 10 housed within the female housing 20, and a collective waterproofing rubber stopper 30.
- Each female terminal fitting 10 is formed from sheet metal which is press moulded. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the female terminal fitting 10 has a configuration whereby a barrel 12 is formed at a posterior end of an angular tubular shaped box-shaped member 11. A resilient tongue member 14 is bent inwards in an angled shape from an anterior edge of a ceiling plate 11A of the box-shaped member 11. A stopping hole 15 opens at a central location, relative to the lengthwise direction thereof, of the ceiling plate 11A. The female terminal fitting 10 is joined to the end of a covered electric wire W by crimping the barrel 12 therewith.
- the female housing 20 is made from plastic and has a flattened box-like tower member 21, the anterior end portion of which is surrounded by a hood 22.
- Cavities 24, into which the female terminal fittings 10 can be inserted, are formed in an upper and a lower set within the tower member 21. Each set has five cavities 24, these upper and lower cavities 24 mutually facing one another.
- a terminal insertion hole 25 opens into an anterior face wall 24A of each cavity 24, this allowing the insertion of a tab 44 of a corresponding male terminal fitting 40 (see Figure 9, showing the second embodiment).
- Bendable lances 26, which are capable of engaging with the stopping holes 15 of the female terminal fittings 10, are provided within each cavity 24, these being formed on wall faces of the walls between the upper and lower cavities 24.
- a jig insertion hole 27 opens into the anterior face wall 24A of each cavity 24 at a location to the anterior of each lance 26. These jig insertion holes 27 pass through to the terminal insertion holes 25.
- a rubber stopper attachment member 28 is formed within the posterior end of the tower member 21, this being formed across the entire length thereof by eliminating the partition walls between the cavities 24.
- the collective rubber stopper 30 is fitted to this rubber stopper attachment member 28.
- the rubber stopper 30 has a horizontally rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front and is capable of fitting within the rubber stopper attachment member 28.
- Two lips 31, one anterior and one posterior, are formed along an outer circumference face of the rubber stopper 30.
- Through holes 32 into which the covered electric wires W can be tightly fitted, are formed in the plate face of the rubber stopper 30 at locations corresponding to the cavities 24 of the female housing 20.
- Cut-away portions 17 are formed in ceiling sides of anterior ends of left and right side plates 11B of the box-shaped member 11 of each female terminal fitting 10.
- protrusions 34 are formed within each cavity 24 at anterior ends of left and right wall faces thereof, in locations somewhat removed from the wall faces having the lances 26 formed thereon. These protrusions 34 are capable of fitting into the cut-away portions 17 formed in the box-shaped members 11 of the female terminal fittings 10.
- supports 35 adjoin posterior ends of the protrusions 34. These supports 35 are formed at a lower level than the protrusion 34 and support the posterior side of the cut-away portions 17 in the side plates 11B of the box-shaped members 11.
- the collective rubber stopper 30 is fitted into the rubber stopper attachment member 28 within the tower member 21 of the female housing 20.
- the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted.
- the upper set of female terminal fittings 10 are inserted with the ceiling plates 11A of the box-shaped members 11 thereof facing downwards
- the lower set of female terminal fittings 10 are inserted with the ceiling plates 11A of the box-shaped members 11 thereof facing upwards.
- the female terminal fittings 10 are passed through the upper set of through holes 32 in the rubber stopper 30 (as shown by the arrow in Figure 2), and are inserted from the posterior into the cavities 24. As the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted they cause the lances 26 to bend, and if the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted correctly (i.e., the ceiling plates 11A of the box-shaped members 11 thereof are facing downwards), the protrusions 34 of the cavities 24 fit into the cut-away portions 17, and the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted until they make contact with the anterior face walls 24A of the cavities 24 (see Figure 7). At this juncture, the stopping holes 15 are located at positions corresponding to the lances 26.
- the upper set of female terminal fittings 10 are inserted incorrectly, that is, the ceiling plates 11A of the box-shaped members 11 thereof are facing upwards, the anterior ends of the box-shaped members 11 strike against the protrusions 34 before the female terminal fittings 10 have been inserted to the correct position within the cavities 24 (see Figure 8). Further insertion is thus prevented. Since the female terminal fittings 10 are not being retained by the lances 26, they can be removed by pulling the covered electric wires W towards the posterior. In this manner, it can be detected that the female terminal fittings 10 have been inserted in an inverted manner. The female terminal fittings 10 can now be turned over so as to face the correct direction for insertion, and re-inserted.
- the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted correctly, i.e., the ceiling plates 11A of the box-shaped members 11 thereof are facing upwards, the female terminal fittings 10 are inserted to the correct position with the protrusions 34 fitting into the cut-away portions 17, and the female terminal fittings 10 are retained by the lances 26. If the lower set of female terminal fittings 10 are inserted incorrectly, i.e., the ceiling plates 11A of the box-shaped members 11 thereof are facing downwards, the anterior ends of the box-shaped members 11 strike against the protrusions 34, thereby preventing further insertion, and preventing the female terminal fittings 10 form being inserted in an inverted manner.
- the means for preventing the female terminal fittings 10 from being inserted in an inverted manner consists of a configuration whereby the cut-away portions 17 are provided in the box-shaped members 11 of the female terminal fittings 10, and the protrusions 34, which fit into the cut-away portions 17, are formed within the cavities 24. That is, the female terminal fittings 10 have no members (such as the stabilizers in the conventional example) protruding therefrom. Consequently, the walls separating the cavities 24 do not need to be thicker in order to house these protruding members. As a result, the pitch of the cavities 24 can be kept small, and the connector can be miniaturized.
- the anterior ends of the left and right side plates 11B of the box-shaped members 11 of the female terminal fittings 10 are usually cut away in advance in order to allow the resilient tongue member 14 to be bent conveniently. These cut away areas are employed as the cut-away portions 17 which prevent inverted insertion from taking place. Consequently, no further cutting away, which would weaken the box-shaped members 11, is required. Further, no changes are made to the female terminal fittings 10. Instead, changes are only made to the structure of the cavities 24 of the female housing 20.
- a male terminal fitting 40 is formed from (beginning from the posterior end and proceeding towards the anterior): a barrel 41, an angular tubular box-shaped member 42, a tapering head member 43, and a tab 44.
- this male terminal fitting 40 is inserted from the posterior into a cavity 51 of a male housing 50, and is retained therein in an unremovable state by means of a lance 52, the tab 44 protruding from an anterior face wall 51A.
- a ceiling side of the male terminal fitting 40 extending from the head member 43 to the anterior end of the box-shaped member 42, has a left and right pair of cut-away portions 47 formed therein.
- protrusions 54 are formed at anterior ends of left and right wall faces within the cavity 51, in locations somewhat removed from the wall face which has the lance 52 formed thereon. These protrusions 54 fit into the cut-away portions 47 of the male terminal fitting 40. Supports 55 adjoin posterior ends of the protrusions 54. These supports 55 are formed at a lower level than the protrusions 54 and support the posterior side of the cut-away portions 47 of the box-shaped member 42.
- the male terminal fitting 40 is inserted correctly into the cavity 51 (see Figure 13), the protrusions 54 within the cavity 51 fit into the cut-away portions 47, the male terminal fitting 40 is pushed in to a correct position whereby the head member 43 strikes against the anterior face wall 51A, and the lance 52 fits resiliently into a stopping hole 45.
- the male terminal fitting 40 is thereby housed in an unremovable manner.
- the head member 43 thereof strikes against the protrusions 54 before the male terminal fitting 40 has been inserted to the correct position (see Figure 14). Since further insertion is thus prevented and the male terminal fitting 40 is not being retained by the lance 52, it can be ascertained that the male terminal fittings 40 has been inserted in an inverted manner.
- the means for preventing the male terminal fitting 40 from being inserted in an inverted manner consists of a configuration whereby the male terminal fitting 40 has no members (such as the stabilizers in the conventional example) protruding therefrom. Consequently, the walls separating the cavities 51 do not need to be thicker in order to house these protruding members, and the pitch of the cavities 51 can be kept small. As a result, the connector can be miniaturized. Furthermore, no damage will occur to a waterproofing collective rubber stopper in the case where one is employed.
Abstract
A connector has means for preventing terminal fittings from being inserted in an
inverted manner, and in which nothing protrudes from outer faces of these terminal
fittings. Cut-away portions 17 are formed at a ceiling side of anterior ends of left and
right side plates 11B of a box-shaped member 11 of a terminal fitting 10. Protrusions
34 are formed within a cavity 24 at anterior ends of left and right wall faces thereof, in
locations somewhat removed from a wall face having a lance 26 formed thereon. These
protrusions 34 are capable of fitting into the cut-away portions 17. When the terminal
fitting 10 is correctly inserted, the protrusions 34 fit into the cut-away portions 17, and
the terminal fitting 10 is pushed into a correct position and is retained by the lance 26.
When the terminal fitting 10 is inserted in an inverted manner, the anterior end of the
box-shaped member 11 strikes against the protrusions 34 before the terminal fitting 10
reaches the correct position. Consequently, the terminal fitting 10 is prevented from
being inserted any further, and it is not retained by the lance 26.
Description
- The present invention relates to a connector provided with means for preventing terminal fittings from being inserted in an inverted manner.
- One conventional means for ensuring that terminal fittings are inserted correctly into cavities formed in a connector housing comprises stabilizers protruding from specified locations of outer faces of the terminal fittings, and guiding grooves formed in corresponding wall faces of the cavities, the stabilizers being capable of sliding within these guiding grooves. When the terminal fittings are inserted correctly, the stabilizers slide within the guiding grooves as insertion progresses. When the terminal fittings are inserted in an inverted manner, the stabilizers strike against hole edges of openings of the cavities, thereby preventing insertion from continuing. An example of this type of terminal fitting provided with stabilizers is described in JP-8-45591.
- In the conventional example which is provided with stabilizers and guiding grooves, the guiding grooves are cut away in the walls separating the cavities. Consequently, these walls must be thicker, i.e., the pitch of the cavities must be increased. As a result, the connector must be made larger in size.
- Conventionally, in order to miniaturize a multi-pole waterproofed connector, separate rubber stoppers are replaced by a rubber stopper comprising a single sheet having a plurality of through holes therein. This sheet covers posterior faces of all the cavities, thereby waterproofing all the cavities in a collective manner. However, when stabilizers protrude from the terminal fittings, as in the case described above, the terminal fittings may damage inner circumference faces of the through holes of the collective rubber stopper into which they have been inserted, thereby decreasing the waterproofing reliability of the rubber stopper.
- The present invention has taken the above problems into consideration, and aims to present a connector having a means for preventing terminal fittings from being inserted in an inverted manner, and in which nothing protrudes from outer faces of these terminal fittings.
- According to the invention, there is provided an electrical connector comprising a housing, a cavity within said housing, and a terminal fitting insertable in said cavity, said terminal fitting being engageable by retention means at a predetermined insertion depth characterized in that the insertion end of said terminal fitting has a cut-away portion at one side, and said housing include a protrusion extending into said cavity at a corresponding side and for fitting within said cut-away portion at said predetermined insertion depth, whereby a predetermined orientation of said terminal fitting is assured.
- Such an arrangement ensures that the terminal fitting can reach the desired insertion depth only if inserted in the correct orientation. No protrusions are required, the corresponding disadvantages are thus avoided, and the connector housing can be miniaturized.
- Preferably the terminal fitting is tubular, and the cut-away portion comprises part of the tubular wall. In a preferred embodiment the terminal fitting is rectangular in cross-section at the insertion end.
- An engagement member of the retention means may be constituted by an aperture or step in the tubular wall, and this engagement member is preferably provided on the same side of the terminal fitting as the cut-away portion.
- In a preferred embodiment, cut-away portions are provided on either side of a resilient tongue of a female terminal fitting, the tongue comprising a contact member of the female fitting for engagement with a corresponding male terminal fitting.
- Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Figure 1 is a disassembled diagonal view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a female terminal fitting prior to insertion.
- Figure 3 is a diagonal view of the female terminal fitting.
- Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the female terminal fitting.
- Figure 5 is a diagonal view showing the configuration of the interior of a cavity of a female housing.
- Figure 6 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the interior of the cavity of the female housing.
- Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the female terminal fitting in a correctly inserted state.
- Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the female terminal fitting inserted in an inverted manner.
- Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a male terminal fitting of a second embodiment of the present invention in a state prior to insertion.
- Figure 10 is a diagonal view of the male terminal fitting.
- Figure 11 is a diagonal view showing the configuration of the interior of a cavity of a male housing.
- Figure 12 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the interior of the cavity of the male housing.
- Figure 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the male terminal fitting in a correctly inserted state.
- Figure 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the male terminal fitting inserted in an inverted manner.
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- A first embodiment of the present invention, which is suitable for a female waterproof connector, is described below with the aid of Figures 1 to 8.
- As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this connector is provided with a female connector housing 20 (hereafter referred to as female housing), female
terminal fittings 10 housed within thefemale housing 20, and a collectivewaterproofing rubber stopper 30. - Each
female terminal fitting 10 is formed from sheet metal which is press moulded. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the female terminal fitting 10 has a configuration whereby abarrel 12 is formed at a posterior end of an angular tubular shaped box-shaped member 11. Aresilient tongue member 14 is bent inwards in an angled shape from an anterior edge of aceiling plate 11A of the box-shaped member 11. Astopping hole 15 opens at a central location, relative to the lengthwise direction thereof, of theceiling plate 11A. The female terminal fitting 10 is joined to the end of a covered electric wire W by crimping thebarrel 12 therewith. - The
female housing 20 is made from plastic and has a flattened box-like tower member 21, the anterior end portion of which is surrounded by ahood 22.Cavities 24, into which the femaleterminal fittings 10 can be inserted, are formed in an upper and a lower set within thetower member 21. Each set has fivecavities 24, these upper andlower cavities 24 mutually facing one another. Aterminal insertion hole 25 opens into ananterior face wall 24A of eachcavity 24, this allowing the insertion of atab 44 of a corresponding male terminal fitting 40 (see Figure 9, showing the second embodiment).Bendable lances 26, which are capable of engaging with thestopping holes 15 of thefemale terminal fittings 10, are provided within eachcavity 24, these being formed on wall faces of the walls between the upper andlower cavities 24. Ajig insertion hole 27 opens into theanterior face wall 24A of eachcavity 24 at a location to the anterior of eachlance 26. Thesejig insertion holes 27 pass through to theterminal insertion holes 25. - A rubber
stopper attachment member 28 is formed within the posterior end of thetower member 21, this being formed across the entire length thereof by eliminating the partition walls between thecavities 24. Thecollective rubber stopper 30 is fitted to this rubberstopper attachment member 28. Therubber stopper 30 has a horizontally rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front and is capable of fitting within the rubberstopper attachment member 28. Twolips 31, one anterior and one posterior, are formed along an outer circumference face of therubber stopper 30. Throughholes 32, into which the covered electric wires W can be tightly fitted, are formed in the plate face of therubber stopper 30 at locations corresponding to thecavities 24 of thefemale housing 20. - Cut-away
portions 17 are formed in ceiling sides of anterior ends of left andright side plates 11B of the box-shaped member 11 of each female terminal fitting 10. As shown in Figures 5 and 6,protrusions 34 are formed within eachcavity 24 at anterior ends of left and right wall faces thereof, in locations somewhat removed from the wall faces having thelances 26 formed thereon. Theseprotrusions 34 are capable of fitting into the cut-awayportions 17 formed in the box-shaped members 11 of thefemale terminal fittings 10. When the anterior ends of the box-shaped members 11 of thefemale terminal fittings 10 have made contact with theanterior face walls 24A of thecavities 24, theprotrusions 34 fit into these cut-away portions 17. Furthermore, supports 35 adjoin posterior ends of theprotrusions 34. Thesesupports 35 are formed at a lower level than theprotrusion 34 and support the posterior side of the cut-awayportions 17 in theside plates 11B of the box-shaped members 11. - The operation of the first embodiment will be described below. First, as shown in Figure 2, the
collective rubber stopper 30 is fitted into the rubberstopper attachment member 28 within thetower member 21 of thefemale housing 20. From this state, the femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted. As shown in Figure 1, the upper set of femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted with theceiling plates 11A of the box-shapedmembers 11 thereof facing downwards, and the lower set of femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted with theceiling plates 11A of the box-shapedmembers 11 thereof facing upwards. - Using the upper set of female
terminal fittings 10 as an example, the femaleterminal fittings 10 are passed through the upper set of throughholes 32 in the rubber stopper 30 (as shown by the arrow in Figure 2), and are inserted from the posterior into thecavities 24. As the femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted they cause thelances 26 to bend, and if the femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted correctly (i.e., theceiling plates 11A of the box-shapedmembers 11 thereof are facing downwards), theprotrusions 34 of thecavities 24 fit into the cut-awayportions 17, and the femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted until they make contact with theanterior face walls 24A of the cavities 24 (see Figure 7). At this juncture, the stoppingholes 15 are located at positions corresponding to thelances 26. Theselances 26 return to their original position and fit into the stoppingholes 15, thereby causing the femaleterminal fittings 10 to be housed in an unremovable state within thecavities 24. In addition, inner circumference faces of the throughholes 32 of therubber stopper 30 fit tightly with outer circumference faces of the covered electric wires W. - If the upper set of female
terminal fittings 10 are inserted incorrectly, that is, theceiling plates 11A of the box-shapedmembers 11 thereof are facing upwards, the anterior ends of the box-shapedmembers 11 strike against theprotrusions 34 before the femaleterminal fittings 10 have been inserted to the correct position within the cavities 24 (see Figure 8). Further insertion is thus prevented. Since the femaleterminal fittings 10 are not being retained by thelances 26, they can be removed by pulling the covered electric wires W towards the posterior. In this manner, it can be detected that the femaleterminal fittings 10 have been inserted in an inverted manner. The femaleterminal fittings 10 can now be turned over so as to face the correct direction for insertion, and re-inserted. - In the same way, if the lower set of female
terminal fittings 10 are inserted correctly, i.e., theceiling plates 11A of the box-shapedmembers 11 thereof are facing upwards, the femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted to the correct position with theprotrusions 34 fitting into the cut-awayportions 17, and the femaleterminal fittings 10 are retained by thelances 26. If the lower set of femaleterminal fittings 10 are inserted incorrectly, i.e., theceiling plates 11A of the box-shapedmembers 11 thereof are facing downwards, the anterior ends of the box-shapedmembers 11 strike against theprotrusions 34, thereby preventing further insertion, and preventing the femaleterminal fittings 10 form being inserted in an inverted manner. - In the present embodiment which has been described above, the means for preventing the female
terminal fittings 10 from being inserted in an inverted manner consists of a configuration whereby the cut-awayportions 17 are provided in the box-shapedmembers 11 of the femaleterminal fittings 10, and theprotrusions 34, which fit into the cut-awayportions 17, are formed within thecavities 24. That is, the femaleterminal fittings 10 have no members (such as the stabilizers in the conventional example) protruding therefrom. Consequently, the walls separating thecavities 24 do not need to be thicker in order to house these protruding members. As a result, the pitch of thecavities 24 can be kept small, and the connector can be miniaturized. - Furthermore, since no members protrude from the female
terminal fittings 10, there is no danger of damaging the inner circumference faces of the through holes 32 (through which the femaleterminal fittings 10 are passed) of thecollective rubber stopper 30, and the seal thereof can reliably be maintained. - Moreover, the anterior ends of the left and
right side plates 11B of the box-shapedmembers 11 of the femaleterminal fittings 10 are usually cut away in advance in order to allow theresilient tongue member 14 to be bent conveniently. These cut away areas are employed as the cut-awayportions 17 which prevent inverted insertion from taking place. Consequently, no further cutting away, which would weaken the box-shapedmembers 11, is required. Further, no changes are made to the femaleterminal fittings 10. Instead, changes are only made to the structure of thecavities 24 of thefemale housing 20. - Next, a second embodiment of the prevent invention, this being suitable for a male connector, is described below with the aid of Figures 9 to 14.
- As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a male terminal fitting 40 is formed from (beginning from the posterior end and proceeding towards the anterior): a
barrel 41, an angular tubular box-shapedmember 42, a taperinghead member 43, and atab 44. As shown in Figure 9, this male terminal fitting 40 is inserted from the posterior into acavity 51 of amale housing 50, and is retained therein in an unremovable state by means of alance 52, thetab 44 protruding from ananterior face wall 51A. - A ceiling side of the male terminal fitting 40, extending from the
head member 43 to the anterior end of the box-shapedmember 42, has a left and right pair of cut-awayportions 47 formed therein. - As shown in Figures 11 and 12,
protrusions 54 are formed at anterior ends of left and right wall faces within thecavity 51, in locations somewhat removed from the wall face which has thelance 52 formed thereon. Theseprotrusions 54 fit into the cut-awayportions 47 of the male terminal fitting 40.Supports 55 adjoin posterior ends of theprotrusions 54. These supports 55 are formed at a lower level than theprotrusions 54 and support the posterior side of the cut-awayportions 47 of the box-shapedmember 42. - In the second embodiment, if the male terminal fitting 40 is inserted correctly into the cavity 51 (see Figure 13), the
protrusions 54 within thecavity 51 fit into the cut-awayportions 47, the male terminal fitting 40 is pushed in to a correct position whereby thehead member 43 strikes against theanterior face wall 51A, and thelance 52 fits resiliently into a stoppinghole 45. The male terminal fitting 40 is thereby housed in an unremovable manner. - If the male terminal fitting 40 is inserted in an inverted manner in the
cavity 51, thehead member 43 thereof strikes against theprotrusions 54 before the male terminal fitting 40 has been inserted to the correct position (see Figure 14). Since further insertion is thus prevented and the male terminal fitting 40 is not being retained by thelance 52, it can be ascertained that the maleterminal fittings 40 has been inserted in an inverted manner. - In this second embodiment also, the means for preventing the male terminal fitting 40 from being inserted in an inverted manner consists of a configuration whereby the male terminal fitting 40 has no members (such as the stabilizers in the conventional example) protruding therefrom. Consequently, the walls separating the
cavities 51 do not need to be thicker in order to house these protruding members, and the pitch of thecavities 51 can be kept small. As a result, the connector can be miniaturized. Furthermore, no damage will occur to a waterproofing collective rubber stopper in the case where one is employed. - The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with the aid of figures. For example, the possibilities described below also lie within the technical range of the present invention. In addition, the present invention may be embodied in various other ways without deviating from the scope thereof.
- (1) The cut-away portions of the terminal fittings and the protrusions of the cavities may be provided on either the right side alone or the left side alone.
- (2) The present invention is also suitable for a regular connector which uses no waterproofing means.
-
Claims (14)
- An electrical connector comprising a housing (20), a cavity (24) within said housing (20), and a terminal fitting (10) insertable in said cavity (24), said terminal fitting (10) being engageable by retention means (26) at a predetermined insertion depth characterized in that said terminal fitting (10) has a cut-away portion (17) at the periphery thereof and said housing (20) include a protrusion (34) extending into said cavity (24) at a corresponding side and for fitting within said cut-away portion (17) at said predetermined insertion depth, whereby a predetermined orientation of said terminal fitting (10) is assured.
- A connector according to claim 1 wherein said terminal fitting further defines an engagement member (15) for said retention means (26), said member (15) being posterior of said cut-away portion (17).
- A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said terminal fitting (10) is tubular, the tubular wall being cut-away to define said cut-away portion (17).
- A connector according to claim 3 wherein said terminal fitting (10) has a box-like cross-section at said cut-away portion (17).
- A connector according to claim 4 wherein said terminal fitting (10) has an internal resilient tongue (14) extending from the insertion end thereof towards the posterior, said cut-away portion (17) being provided adjacent said tongue (14).
- A connector according to claim 5 wherein a said cut-away portion (17) is provided symmetrically on either side of said tongue (14).
- A connector according to any preceding claim wherein said cut-away portion (17) is provided at one end of said terminal fitting (10).
- A connector according to claim 7 wherein said terminal fitting is female.
- A connector according to any of claims 1-7 wherein said terminal fitting is male and defines a tab (44) and a tubular body portion, wherein said cut-away portion (47) is adjacent the inner end of said tab (44).
- A connector according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein a cut-away portion (17,47) is provided on either side of a tongue (14,48), said tongue (14,48) defining a ramp to aid smooth insertion of said terminal fitting through a close fitting aperture of said cavity.
- A connector according to claim 10 wherein said aperture comprises a resilient opening (32).
- A connector according to any preceding claim and further including a resilient waterproof stopper (30) at the insertion opening of said cavity (24), and said terminal fitting has a wire (W) attached thereto, said stopper (30) defining an aperture (32) smaller than the diameter of said wire (W).
- A connector according to any of claims 1-11 and having a plurality of cavities (24) and corresponding terminal fittings (10), said housing (20) further including a single resilient plate-like waterproof stopper (30) at the insertion opening of said cavities (24), and said stopper (30) defining a respective aperture (32) for each cavity (24), each aperture (32) being adapted to tightly engage a wire attached to the posterior end of the respective terminal fitting (10).
- A connector according to claim 12 wherein said housing defines a tubular mouth (21) to receive said stopper (30), and said stopper (30) includes a continuous peripheral sealing lip (31) to engage the interior wall of said tubular mouth (21).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000201053 | 2000-07-03 | ||
JP2000201053A JP3674767B2 (en) | 2000-07-03 | 2000-07-03 | connector |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1170832A2 true EP1170832A2 (en) | 2002-01-09 |
Family
ID=18698814
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01305031A Withdrawn EP1170832A2 (en) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-06-08 | Connector |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6488536B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1170832A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3674767B2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1544952A1 (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2005-06-22 | J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Female contact |
WO2009013079A2 (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2009-01-29 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Contact housing for an electrical plug connection and having a plug base plate with elements for contact centring |
EP2806505A1 (en) * | 2013-05-20 | 2014-11-26 | Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric connector |
Families Citing this family (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3415140B1 (en) * | 2002-07-04 | 2003-06-09 | 住友電装株式会社 | connector |
DE60223135T2 (en) * | 2002-06-06 | 2008-08-07 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Yokkaichi | A connector, an unlocking member and a method |
JP2005122995A (en) | 2003-10-15 | 2005-05-12 | Jst Mfg Co Ltd | Connector |
EP1710872B1 (en) * | 2003-12-26 | 2015-10-21 | Yazaki Corporation | Connector |
FR2869161B1 (en) * | 2004-04-19 | 2007-04-20 | Fci Sa | ELECTRIC CONTACT, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PART COMPRISING SUCH CONTACT |
JP2010027231A (en) * | 2008-07-15 | 2010-02-04 | Yazaki Corp | Waterproof connector |
JP5161004B2 (en) * | 2008-08-27 | 2013-03-13 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Connector housing and connector |
WO2010099610A1 (en) * | 2009-03-03 | 2010-09-10 | Ats Automation Tooling Systems Inc. | Multi-mode scroll cam conveyor system |
KR200457347Y1 (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-12-15 | 한국단자공업 주식회사 | Terminal |
JP5700811B2 (en) * | 2011-03-30 | 2015-04-15 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | connector |
JP5933380B2 (en) * | 2012-07-25 | 2016-06-08 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | connector |
JP6276113B2 (en) * | 2014-06-02 | 2018-02-07 | ホシデン株式会社 | connector |
JP6653121B2 (en) * | 2015-03-18 | 2020-02-26 | 住友電装株式会社 | Electrical junction box |
JP6551204B2 (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2019-07-31 | 住友電装株式会社 | Terminal fitting |
US10441503B2 (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2019-10-15 | Richard T. FRENCH | SPA with temperature responsive pump activation and deactivation independent of heater activation |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0737247Y2 (en) * | 1990-09-26 | 1995-08-23 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Connector with reverse insertion prevention structure |
JP2645630B2 (en) * | 1992-07-24 | 1997-08-25 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | connector |
JP2986005B2 (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1999-12-06 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Reverse insertion prevention connector |
JP2868405B2 (en) * | 1994-02-16 | 1999-03-10 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Female terminal |
JP2814927B2 (en) | 1994-08-03 | 1998-10-27 | 住友電装株式会社 | Female terminal fitting |
JPH1186948A (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-03-30 | Yazaki Corp | Connector with front holder |
-
2000
- 2000-07-03 JP JP2000201053A patent/JP3674767B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-06-08 EP EP01305031A patent/EP1170832A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-06-29 US US09/894,011 patent/US6488536B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1544952A1 (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2005-06-22 | J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd. | Female contact |
WO2009013079A2 (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2009-01-29 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Contact housing for an electrical plug connection and having a plug base plate with elements for contact centring |
WO2009013079A3 (en) * | 2007-07-26 | 2009-04-16 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Contact housing for an electrical plug connection and having a plug base plate with elements for contact centring |
EP2806505A1 (en) * | 2013-05-20 | 2014-11-26 | Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric connector |
US9293853B2 (en) | 2013-05-20 | 2016-03-22 | Dai-Ichi Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric connector with terminal supports |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP3674767B2 (en) | 2005-07-20 |
US6488536B2 (en) | 2002-12-03 |
JP2002025675A (en) | 2002-01-25 |
US20020002001A1 (en) | 2002-01-03 |
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